Mid-sized elegant l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Phoenix with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, beige countertops, a farmhouse sink and quartz countertops

Built in Espresso maker and Built in Refrigerator
Large transitional l-shaped brown floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with white cabinets, an island, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, metallic backsplash, glass tile backsplash, paneled appliances and white countertops

Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor enclosed kitchen idea in Raleigh with a peninsula, a double-bowl sink, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash and black countertops

Inspiration for a large farmhouse l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island and paneled appliances

Inspiration for a large industrial u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Mid-sized elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Large island style l-shaped travertine floor open concept kitchen photo in Miami with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an island, granite countertops and multicolored backsplash

Example of a classic u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and an island

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Manchester with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, beige backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and beige countertops

Ema Peters
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen pantry remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and shaker cabinets

Photo: Joyelle West
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with blue cabinets, terra-cotta backsplash, an island, raised-panel cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized eclectic medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in San Francisco

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Inspiration for a large country u-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a large craftsman l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Louisville with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, no island, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen idea in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, an island, mosaic tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Adriana Ortiz
Example of a mid-sized trendy galley ceramic tile eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, metallic backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, white appliances and no island

Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and stainless steel appliances